Anderson 1

Steven Anderson
Mrs. Downes
Period 5
24 November 2012
Mortality in Hamlet (Prompt #4) Re-write
Imperious Caesar, dead and turned to clay, / Might stop a hole to keep the wind away. /
Oh, that that earth, which kept the world in awe, / Should patch a wall t' expel the winters flaw!
(Act 5, Scene 1, Line 113 115). These words spoken by young Hamlet embody the main
meaning of the play. Even Julius Caesar, the greatest of men, fell at the hand of treachery. The
play uses death and Hamlets fragile psyche to explain a rational fear of death. Throughout most
of the play, Hamlet is uncertain about life and the afterlife. At times he fears death and all of its
mysteries, yet at other times he contemplates suicide to end his suffering. The pinnacle of
Hamlets madness is met with his great epiphany during this scene, which solidifies his
transformation from a distressed, grieving boy to a revengeful son.
In the beginning of the play, Hamlets objections to his mothers actions are not enough
to spur him into action. A supernatural visit from his father, detailing the treason and murder by
Claudius, is still not enough to spur him into action. How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself,
As I perchance hereafter shall think meet / To put an antic disposition on (Act 1, Scene 5, Lines
58 60). Although Hamlet was sure of what he wanted, his fear of death and uncertainty drove
him into madness and inaction. His madness was fueled by his reason overcoming his passionate
desires. The play takes some time to develop because Hamlet is unsure whether to use reason or
passion. Also, Hamlets internal debate acted as a faade for his inactivity. His madness and
procrastination were used to appease his guilt for not avenging his father.

Anderson 2
The graveyard scene involving Hamlet and Horatio contains the most insightful pieces of
dialogue. These moments, where he reflects on the fragility of man and life, coincide with
Ophelias funeral. It is here that Hamlet makes the transformation into competence by reflecting
his ideas off of Horatio and by acting on his passion for Ophelia. This is I, Hamlet the
Dane. (leaps into the grave) (Act 5, Scene 1, line 210). Although jumping into a grave and
fighting the brother of a deceased young girl is far from noble, it is at this point that Hamlet
changes into a dignified person, who is capable of acting and proudly defending what he
believes.
The battle with Laertes and Hamlet with swords represents Hamlets continued
aggression. Although he expects the implications of the fight to be harmless, he battles valiantly
with Laertes until the poison kills several main characters. Hamlets last words successfully
conclude the opening quote, the rest is silence (Act 5, Scene 2, line 89). Death is quiet. The
lives we live are complex, eventful, and confusing, but death is simply peaceful. Hamlet
overcoming his fear of death was the first step in focusing his revenge plot for his father and to
silencing his madness.
As the opening quote suggests, everyone will die eventually. Death is fair and indifferent
to the status of the people it encounters. This is evident and supported by all of the main
characters dying, or considering suicide. It is an inevitable part of life, one in which harasses
those that fear death. Hamlets transformation from inaction to action concluded with this quote.
Although he was corrupt in his revengeful state, much like Laertes, he was finally able to act on
his original desires. As Hamlet accepts his mortality and that of those around him, he is finally
able to overcome his madness and inaction. However, like Caesar, a silent death found prince
Hamlet in the end.